====== Midwest USA - East North Central Surfski ======
**Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois**
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{{youtube>AB9erINW-EE?large}}
**Lake Michigan - December**
Nick Murray from TCSurfski podcast talking about [[https://tcsurfski.com/2019/05/17/ppp-episode-32-surfski-on-the-great-lakes-with-nick-murray/|Surfski on the Great Lakes]]
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[[:us_places|Main USA Surfski Page]]
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===== Indiana =====
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==== Surf ====
* **Lake Michigan ** [[https://youtu.be/MszFox3XCLk?t=532|board surf video]]
==== Resources ====
* **Fluid Fun Canoe & Kayak Sales - Bristol, IN** +15748484279 [[mail@fluidfun.com|mail@fluidfun.]][[mail@fluidfun.com|com]][[https://fluidfun.com/product-category/kayaks/|Fluid]][[https://fluidfun.com/product-category/kayaks/| Fun]]
* [[https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1uT0cDjfFB6cOr7819_6of2u6dDN7P_Ts&femb=1&ll=44.44525477663311,-84.12944964999998&z=7|Map of Surfing Spots]] (you need some experience to judge whether surfski surfing is safe and manageable in any spot with waves)
* **River Bear Racing ** - Stellar dealer +12604526447 [[https://riverbearracing.com/|riverbearracing.com]] Huntertown, IN 46748 Email: [[Riverbear.racing@yahoo.com|Riverbear.racing@yahoo.com]]
* …
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===== Illinois =====
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==== Downwind ====
* **Chicago ** [[https://youtu.be/_eiL9Xr2LWc|Lake Michigan downwind laps video]]
==== Surf ====
* [[https://www.surfer.com/news/surfrider-foundation-waves-saved-chicago|Chicago Surf]]
==== Races ====
* **River Races**
* **Rock River Paddle Battle **check [[https://www.facebook.com/qckggear/events|Quad Cities Kayak River Adventures Facebook Events]]
* also check [[https://illinoispaddling.org/events/|Illinois Paddling Council Events]]
==== Flatwater ====
* [[https://paddling.com/paddle/trips/lake-michigan-illinois|A Chicago Area Trip]]
* [[https://nwipa.org/lake-michigan-water-trail|Illinois segment of Lake Michigan Water Trail]] (it should be obvious that depending on conditions these waters are not flatwater or safe paddling)
* [[https://openlands.org/explore/paddle-illinois/|Mostly Benign Paddle Trips]] (but do your due diligence to be aware of any potential risks)
* [[https://www.glidesup.com/blogs/where-to/best-places-to-paddle-board-in-illinois|Places to Paddleboard]]
==== Resources ====
* [[http://caska.org/links.html|Chicago Area Kayakers Resource Page]] (the interests of sea kayakers and surfskiers are not mutually exclusive)
* [[https://www.nwpassage.com/chicagoland-adventures|ChicagoLand]] SUP & Sea Kayaks - source of info?
* [[https://kayakchicago.com/about-us/|Kayak Chicago]] Another information source?
* [[https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1uT0cDjfFB6cOr7819_6of2u6dDN7P_Ts&femb=1&ll=44.44525477663311,-84.12944964999998&z=7|Map of Surfing Spots]] (you need some experience to judge whether surfski surfing is safe and manageable in any spot with waves)
* [[https://www.northshoreyachtclub.com/index.php?action=kayak|North Shore Yacht Club]] Highland Park, Sea Kayak contingent should be good source of information about paddling locales
* [[https://www.facebook.com/outriggerchicago|Outrigger Chicago]] (facebook)
* [[https://urbankayaks.com/lakefront-kayak-tours/|Urban Kayaks]]
* …
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===== Michigan =====
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==== Locales ====
* **Lake Erie**
* **Downwind**
* **Surf**
* [[https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/sterling-state-park/584204204e65fad6a7709539|Surfline Conditions Forecast]]
* **Sterling State Park ** [[https://youtu.be/ho30XrKWVzc?t=161|board surfer video]]
* **Lake Huron**
* **Downwind**
* **Lakeport State Park - Krafft Road **7 miles
* **Lexington - Port Huron **18-19 miles [[https://youtu.be/98l6C9ufz1o|foil video1]], [[https://youtu.be/0ts6mEqznsA|foil video2]] (getting better at foil downwinding)
* **Port Sanilac - Port Huron** 30 miles [[https://youtu.be/nkb4pnDSYGA|foil video]]
* **Surf**
* **Tawas Point State Park**
* [[https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/tawas-point/584204204e65fad6a7709585|Surfline ]]
* **Lake Leelenau** [[https://youtu.be/5JrjBvbW9pg|video]]
* **Lake Michigan**
* **Downwind**
* [[https://youtu.be/YujDuTE-d7o|TCSurfski Downwind "Jam Session"]] Discussion of Lake Michigan/Minnesota/Florida Downwinding
* **Grand Traverse Bay**
* **Lee Point (West Arm of Bay) ** [[https://youtu.be/9hZw2Guza1w|video]]
* **Lee Point - Greilickville** 10 miles [[https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/358574103|Garmin data]]
* [[:traverse_city|Traverse City, MI]]
* **Holland Michigan - **reportedly has some downwind routes, locals report that rebound off of seawalls can be significant, rip currents also apparently merit attention.
* **Holland State Park ** [[https://youtu.be/-nO0KQ4v-F4|surfing video (laps just of north of the Channel)]] , [[https://youtu.be/ac0XsTbFSik|storm waves]]
* **Holland Channel ** (connects Lake Michigan with Lake Macatawa)
* [[https://youtu.be/rpHlorMhWxc|surfing laps at channel entrance video]]
* [[https://youtu.be/GkVagw1_UVY|Downwinder headed north from channel]] (not sure where the takeout was)
* **Pt Sheldon to Tunnel Park **9.7 miles (about 7 miles of downwind, added mileage is for lining up with waves) [[https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/358684669|Garmin data]], [[https://youtu.be/pRYr4QlFLkk|video]]
* **Pt Sheldon to Holland** 8-9 miles [[https://youtu.be/BOU5cYkLKF0|video]]
* **Leland (Fishtown) **- out and back [[https://youtu.be/0zWz6EiejK4|downwind lap video]], out and back [[https://youtu.be/AB9erINW-EE|big winter day video]]
* Van's Beach [[https://youtu.be/uvPQWUpc_lU|Shore Break Video]]
* Pyramid Point [[https://youtu.be/aXoWFQLjy1M|video]]
* **Muskegon**
* Pere Marquette to North Beach
* **Point Betsie ** [[https://youtu.be/e-Kkl8KCvSo|video]]
* **Pyramid Point** [[https://youtu.be/ox41WBotEGk|video passing by the point]]
* **Surf**
* **Empire Beach **- [[https://youtu.be/tFi7B3Iyg3I|video surf practice]] in small beach break
* **Silver Beach ** [[https://youtu.be/HmzriiKLJJc|board surfing video]]
* **South Haven - ** [[https://vimeo.com/889303256|surf kayaking video]]
* **Lake St. Clair/****Detroit** check with [[http://www.greatlakessurfski.com/|Great Lakes Surfski]]
* **Downwind**
* **Seaway Island - Mitchell's Bay **13 miles (Canadian side of lake)
* **St. Clair River **
* River flows from Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair, border between Michigan, USA & Ontario, CA. With a south wind building waves against the current it can work a bit like the Gorge or a tide race. You can also do laps surfing with the south wind waves going upriver then using the current to go back to lap starting point. [[https://youtu.be/QJYaj5QuPpg|Sarnia, CA foil laps]]
* **Port Huron (or Sarnia, CA) downwind, downriver 12 km ** [[https://youtu.be/7N3TWaGb61Q|sup foil video]]
* **Boat Wakes**
* **[[:surf#surfing_boat_wakes_wash|Know the Shipping Channel Rules and Etiquette]]**
* **Freighters going in/out of St. Clair River into Lake Huron**
* If there are shallower parts of the river the wake waves could increase there
* [[https://youtu.be/YKjcog30doI|foil video]]
* **Lake Superior (Michigan Upper Peninsula)**
* **Downwind**
* [[:lake_superior#south_shore_lake_superior_wisconsin_michigan|South Shore]]
* **Surfing**
* [[:lake_superior#surf|South Shore Surf]]
* …
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Photo: [[https://youtu.be/vo1BzyBwZ1E|Vice video]] - Upper Peninsula Michigan surfers - Surfer Dan and Allen Finau
[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=cold:upper_peninsula.jpg|{{:cold:upper_peninsula.jpg?direct&400|upper_peninsula.jpg}}]]
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==== Conditions ====
* **Lake Erie, Lake Michigan** See [[:the_great_lakes#conditions|Great Lakes Conditions]]
* …
==== Coaches ====
* [[https://tcsurfski.com/|TCSurfski.com]] Lessons, Sales, Rentals, Local knowledge. Traverse City surfski is not just a local outfit, they keep up with surfskiing and downwinding on a comprehensive basis. Very knowledgeable. [[https://tcsurfski.libsyn.com/ppp-episode-32-surfski-on-the-great-lakes-with-nick-murray|Surfski on the Great Lakes Podcast]]
==== Dealers/Rental ====
* [[https://tcsurfski.com/|TCSurfski.com]]
* sells Epic surfskis
* rents Epic V5's & V7's (including necessary accessories - paddle, leash…)
* …
==== Races ====
* [[:races:michigan_races|Michigan Races]]
* …
==== Resources ====
* [[https://www.shopdownwindsports.com/|Downwind Sports]] upper peninsula stores with paddling gear (no surfskis yet?)
* [[https://www.michiganwatertrails.org/trail.asp?ait=ctv&ctid=40|Lake Michigan Water Trail Southwest]]
* [[https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1uT0cDjfFB6cOr7819_6of2u6dDN7P_Ts&femb=1&ll=44.44525477663311,-84.12944964999998&z=7|Map of Surfing Spots]] (you need some experience to judge whether surfski surfing is safe and manageable in any spot with waves)
* [[https://thirdcoastsurfshop.com/|Third Coast Surf Shop]] St. Joseph, Michigan wetsuits, wave beta
* [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/283278301845602/|West Michigan Paddlers (facebook)]]
* …
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===== Ohio =====
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==== Locales ====
* **Alum Creek Lake** (Columbus): deep water for speed, but short for an out and back
* **Lake Erie **from DougMar [[https://surfski.info/forum/1-general/12303-surf-ski-olympic-sport.html#12390|on surfski.info]] "…an incredible lake, DEEP near Cleveland, kinda shallow on the West end of the great lake, but Cleveland areas have tons of miles of nice Westerly fetch, and good sized rollers (12-14' in many 20 knot westerly blows). Best thing though, is hooking on to a roller in Cleveland, and ending up in Painsville 30 miles away!…"
* **Mosquito resevoir**: good downwind action with deep enough water for decent downwinders
* **Ohio River**
* **Marietta Ohio - Sternwheeler wake riding ** [[https://youtu.be/amDBqy48UXY|video]]
* **Pymatuning Lake**: very deep water, well situated for downwinders
==== Conditions ====
* **Lake Erie **See [[:the_great_lakes#conditions|Great Lakes Conditons]]
==== Races ====
* [[https://www.thewatermanseries.com/events/greatohioriverodyssey2020|The Great Ohio River Odessey]]
* [[https://www.ohioriverpaddlefest.org/|Ohio River Paddlefest]]
* [[https://www.thewatermanseries.com/|The Waterman Series]]
* …
==== Resources ====
* [[https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1uT0cDjfFB6cOr7819_6of2u6dDN7P_Ts&femb=1&ll=44.44525477663311,-84.12944964999998&z=7|Map of Surfing Spots]] (you need some experience to judge whether surfski surfing is safe and manageable in any spot with waves)
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===== Wisconsin =====
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==== Downwind/Paddles ====
* Lake Michigan
* [[:lake_pepin|]]
* [[:lake_superior|]] (see South Shore/Wisconsin section)
* **Lake Winnebago **large shallow lake that freezes in winter
* [[https://www.facebook.com/100010446960813/videos/905020124619729/|facebook video (surfski & outrigger)]], [[https://youtu.be/OhfM3M6QSQc|surfski video]], [[https://youtu.be/vPQargEVNks|more surfski downwinding]]
* [[https://youtu.be/lZoK7eRB8b0|kitesurfing video]]
* …
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{{ youtube>_KCHpSUjaO4?large }}
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==== Flatwater ====
* [[https://newp.club/where-to-paddle/|Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers where to paddle]]
* [[https://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/canoeing-kayaking-sup/article/canoeing-kayaking-sup/the-lake-michigan-water-trail-one-of-wisconsins-best-kept-secrets|Wisconsin Segment of Lake Michigan Water Trail]] (it should go without saying that depending on conditions these are often not "flatwaters" at all)
==== Surf ====
* **Superior Entry Channel** (Wisconsin/Minnesota Border) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbjdsY29Btw|video]]
* [[https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1uT0cDjfFB6cOr7819_6of2u6dDN7P_Ts&femb=1&ll=44.44525477663311,-84.12944964999998&z=7|Map of Surfing Spots]] (you need some experience to judge whether surfski surfing is safe and manageable in any spot with waves)
==== Conditions ====
* **Lake Superior** See [[:lake_superior#conditions|Lake Superior Conditions]]
* [[https://wind.willyweather.com/wi/calumet-county/lake-winnebago.html|Lake Winnebago wind]]
* [[https://wind.willyweather.com/wi/pierce-county/lake-pepin.html|Lake Pepin wind]]
==== Resources/Equipment ====
* **Paddle Dynamics/Ozone Midwest **
* [[https://www.paddledynamics.com|Paddle Dynamics]] Kai Wa'a, Nordic Kayaks, Epic, Stellar, and all the Ozone OC brands
* Irma, WI +17155749538 [[Paddledynamics@gmail.com|Paddledynamics@gmail.com]]
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===== Conditions =====
* **Great Lakes**
* See [[:the_great_lakes#conditions|Great Lakes Conditions]]
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===== Resources =====
* [[https://www.greatlakespaddlers.com/|Great Lakes Paddlers]]
* [[https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1uT0cDjfFB6cOr7819_6of2u6dDN7P_Ts&femb=1&ll=44.44525477663311,-84.12944964999998&z=7|Map of Surfing Spots]] (you need some experience to judge whether surfski surfing is safe and manageable in any spot with waves)
* …